Mei Lieu

Any stylist can tell you that bangs are the hottest hair trend of the moment. They also can tell you how hard it is to cut good bangs on your own, let alone give a squirmy child a nice, even haircut.

On Friday, Mei Lieu will be giving free haircuts to women and children at the Institute for Human Services with her very own invention, the CreaClip.

“I was looking for a way to give back to the community, and since my product is for women and children, I thought it fit best to donate haircuts,” she says.

Lieu and a staff of four volunteers will use the CreaClip to cut as many heads of hair as they can. Lieu also will give a presentation on how to use the hair-cutting guide and will donate a few sets so the women can maintain their new looks.

“The last time I volunteered at the shelter, I noticed a lot of the women had very long hair with split ends, and I thought they could use a little pick-me-up,” Lieu says. “I know each time I gave haircuts the clients always felt so much better about themselves. It gives them a sense of confidence.”

Born and raised in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Lieu trained as a hairstylist at top academies Vidal Sassoon and Toni & Guy in Canada, the United Kingdom, China and the U.S. before moving to Honolulu seven years ago. She launched the CreaClip on Home Shopping Network in early 2008 (it sold out within minutes) and has since been working hard on other inventions that save families time and money.

“I’ve found my passion and I’m really grateful to be able to create new products that benefit the consumer,” says the businesswoman, who is president, CEO and founder of product development and consulting firm Innov8 LLC, DBA CreaProducts. “I’ve found my purpose and passion, and it’s very fulfilling to be able to empower and inspire people through my products.”

When she’s not volunteering as a life coach, motivational speaker or at IHS, the 34-year-old award-winning stylist can be found surfing, Tahitian dancing, spearfishing and hiking Diamond Head.